James "Jim" Hicks

James “Jim” Hicks has been a Florida-based lawyer for more than four decades.

He attended the College of William and Mary in the 1970s, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree before attending Nova Law Center, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree.

As an undergraduate student, Hicks received many accolades, including a four-year athletic scholarship, a nomination for the SEC scholar/athlete of the year, honorable mention all-American in wrestling and he was a three-time SEC Champion. While attending law school, Hicks was in the Dean’s list, received a tuition grant based on his academic average, and was a certified legal intern with the Public Defender’s Office of the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Hicks then practiced law in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach at the firm of Ronald Sales, P.A., and the firm of McKeown & Garmot, P.A.

From there, Hicks was a founding partner of the law firm Hicks & Motto, P.A. in West Palm Beach.

Certifications

Hicks is both a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator and a Florida Supreme Court certified civil trial lawyer.

Hicks is one of only 1% of lawyers to be awarded board certification by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education as a civil trial lawyer. This certification recognizes Hicks’ expert special knowledge, skills, and proficiencies in civil trial matters.

Associations and Committees

Over the last four decades, Hicks has been actively involved in civil trial litigation. He is either an active member, or former member of:

  • Florida Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • Trial Bar of U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • Palm Beach County Plaintiffs Personal Injury Association
  • Florida Bar Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee

Professional Achievements

Hicks is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum – an association of attorneys obtaining verdicts or settlements in excess of $1,000,000 for their clients.

Hicks was rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell’s National Law Directory, designating Hicks’ legal ability of the highest caliber – “very high to pre-eminent.” He was inducted into the Who’s Who in American Law in 1994.